The local team took first place in four events, as well as second and third-place rankings in three other competitions.

Winning the overall challenge comes with a sense of pride but also pushes the team to perfect their skills, said Capt. Travis Brittain.

“All of these events have a lot of physical stress,” said Brittain. “It really pushes the operator to the limit, to operate and shoot under pressure and think on their feet.”

Brittain, along with Sgt. Jimmy Arndt, led the team, though they didn’t compete.

Five of the team members work with the Gastonia Police Department. The team was rounded out by a Mount Holly police officer and a Gaston County Sheriff’s deputy.

The local squad competed against six other teams from other police departments, sheriff’s offices and the Fort Bragg Military Police.

Trials started Tuesday and ended Thursday with Gastonia taking home the win.

Brittain said such competitions unify a team that is often thrown together during chaotic situations.

“In preparing for this we got some additional training days and we’ve been able to hone our pistol skills,” he said. “It brings the team together and it really sharpens the skills as far as shooting, thinking and moving under pressure … all those things that are crucial in a real-life situation.”

This was the local SWAT team’s first state competition in years. They previously won four state contests in the 1990s, as well as numerous regional awards.

The SWAT Team is comprised of nearly 30 men from multiple law enforcement agencies within the county.

You can reach reporter Diane Turbyfill at 704-869-1817 and twitter.com/GazetteDiane.